FCIK Flags Mixed Tendering as Barrier for Local Manufacturers, Calls for CM’s Action
FCIK Raises Alarm Over Exclusionary Tenders, Seeks Support from J&K Leadership
Srinagar, November 28: The Federation of Chambers of Industries of Kashmir (FCIK) has called upon Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to address concerns over the Agriculture Department’s mixed tendering system, claiming it unfairly sidelines local manufacturers.
A spokesperson for the FCIK expressed alarm over the tendering process adopted under the Kisan Khidmat Ghar scheme, part of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP). According to the spokesperson, the department has merged two distinct product categories—furniture and electronics—into a single tender, creating challenges for local manufacturers to qualify.
“The decision to combine these unrelated categories is problematic as it significantly reduces the pool of eligible bidders for each category. This may result in substandard products being procured at inflated prices, violating the principles of transparency and competition in public procurement,” the spokesperson said.
The FCIK emphasized that local furniture manufacturers, many of whom are small and medium enterprises, lack the technical expertise and infrastructure required to bid for electronic components. As a result, they fear being disqualified, or worse, an inadequate number of bids being submitted altogether.
The spokesperson further highlighted that furniture supply is classified among the 358 reserved items for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) under the Union Government’s Public Procurement Policy, part of the MSME Act of 2006. “By merging furniture with electronics, the Agriculture Department has disregarded this critical provision, leaving local industries at a disadvantage,” the spokesperson stated.
Particular alarm has been raised regarding tenders floated by the Agriculture Production Departments in Budgam and Srinagar, which bundle furniture and electronics procurement. In districts such as Bandipora, Baramulla, and Anantnag, tenders have reportedly imposed stringent qualification criteria, effectively excluding many local manufacturers from participation.
The FCIK is concerned that such practices undermine the goals of the ambitious ₹5,000-crore HADP initiative, which aims to revitalize agriculture and allied sectors in Jammu and Kashmir. “This exclusionary approach not only marginalizes local manufacturers but also compromises the potential for sustainable industrial growth within the region,” the spokesperson added.
To address these issues, the FCIK plans to escalate the matter directly to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. The organization is seeking a review of the mixed tendering system and the implementation of measures to ensure that local manufacturers are given fair opportunities in the procurement process.
“We urge the government to prioritize the interests of local industries and ensure that procurement policies align with the principles of fairness, competition, and support for local enterprise,” the spokesperson concluded.
